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Update: Subaru oil consumption class action lawsuit

Some Subaru Foresters, Outbacks, Legacys, XV Crosstreks and Impreza models may have oil consumption issues. What models are included in the class action lawsuit against Subaru?

Some 2011-2014 Subaru Forester, 2013 Outback, 2013 Legacy, 2013 XV Crosstrek and 2012-2013 Impreza may use more oil than what is normal. Here’s an update and a Q&A that may help consumers who are experiencing oil consumption issues with these vehicles.

We received more information from Girard Gibbs Law Group who filed an amended complaint in a class action lawsuit against Subaru on September 17, 2014. The lawsuit alleges that certain Subaru vehicles have defective engines, which burn a substantial portion of their oil. The lawsuit also alleges that this defect can damage the engine and other components, create a risk of stalling, and can lead to increased emissions and decreased fuel efficiency.

The lawsuit also alleges that Subaru sold and leased vehicles without disclosing that they consume a substantial portion of their engine oil. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions and answers from Girard Gibbs Law Group for consumers who own one of these vehicles.

Q. Which vehicles are included?

A. The plaintiffs have asked the court to let this case cover a class that includes everyone who purchased or leased the following Subaru vehicles:

2011-2014 Forester (with 2.5-liter engines)
2013 Legacy (with 2.5-liter engines)
2013 Outback (with 2.5-liter engines)
2012-2013 Impreza (with 2.0-liter engines)
2013 XV Crosstrek (with 2.0-liter engines)

Because the court has a role in deciding who is included in the class, it’s possible that the scope of the class could change. Girard Gibbs Law Group will provide updates if that happens.

Q. Why aren’t other Subaru models included in the class?

A. This lawsuit focuses on an alleged oil consumption defect in Subaru FB engines. Not all Subaru vehicles have FB engines installed in them.

Q. I have one of the vehicles listed above - what can I do?

A. If you have not already done so, Girard Gibbs Law Group recommends you contact Subaru of America's customer support and inform them of your oil consumption issue. They may request you take your vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealership to have the defect diagnosed and documented. The dealership may require you to undergo an oil consumption test where the dealership will fill your vehicle up with oil and have you return at various mileages to measure the oil consumption.

The Law Group also recommends that you keep a log of when and how much oil you have been required to add to your vehicle between oil changes. Please also be sure to keep any receipts of vehicle repairs and engine oil that you purchase to resolve the issue.

Q. How can I stay up-to-date on the status of the case?

Consumers can go to the Girard Gibbs Law Group website and get updates on the case.

If you own one of the Subaru vehicles with the engine listed above, and you are experiencing excessive oil consumption, take your vehicle in to your Subaru dealer and ask for an "oil consumption test." But keep in mind, it’s been reported that some Subaru dealers are telling owners that the oil consumption issue is “normal” and that normal usage is 1 quart every 1200 miles.

Not all Subarus have this issue, but if your Forester, Outback, Legacy, XV Crosstrek or Impreza with the FB engine does, take it to the dealer who should change the oil free of cost, and ask you to come back in 1200 miles. If the oil usage is over their acceptable specifications, they could replace the piston rings to correct the problem. Stay tuned.

Comments

Gary Garber (not verified)    December 29, 2015 - 12:14PM

I have A 2011 Subaru outback with 45 thousand miles on it. It is burning between 1000 + 1200 miles one quart of oil. The dealership is doing and oil consumption test. At 40000 miles it cost me 1700 dollars to replace a seat belt sensor on the passenger seat. Never would have bought dis automobile if I was aware of these problems.

Jennifer deGuzman (not verified)    December 30, 2015 - 12:12PM

My 2010 Suburu Forester's engine with 100,000 miles just blew up! 6 weeks ago I had my car in the shop again because I kept smelling oil burning. I had some gasket replaced and it seemed like I was good to go. The smell was going away. I went on a 200-mile trip. Oil light never came on. The Check Engine light came on, then the oil light followed. Engine sounded weird. I pulled off the freeway immediately but it was too late. I am looking at having to get my engine replaced. Probably $4000 before it is all over.

Dennis Patterson (not verified)    January 3, 2016 - 6:44PM

I too am experiencing oil consumption problems with my 2011 Subaru Forester. Pls keep me informed of updates and status regarding this matter.

Stan Miller (not verified)    January 5, 2016 - 12:02AM

I have a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The Dealer has conducted 3 oil consumption tests plus one attempted test where they overfilled the engine and I had to take the car back to restart the test with correct level. First test: one quart burned in 4,978 miles. Second test: one quart burned in 4,499 miles. Third test: 1.25 quarts burned in 5,012 miles. Dealer says these numbers are acceptable. I know they are not! The engine needs more than a quart before it is due for an oil change and oil light comes on. My 2000 Toyota Tacoma with over 190,000 miles burns no detectable oil! What to do?

Scott Riegel (not verified)    January 9, 2016 - 12:01AM

My 2013 outback uses 1 quart every 2400 miles did 2 test said its with in subaru specs every 2400 miles my light comes on and it's 1quart low my fourth subaru and my last.

Spencer (not verified)    January 22, 2016 - 4:57AM

I am concerned as a CDN because our class action seems to only be some cashback as compared to solutions or a fix. Bought my 2012 impreza 2.0 last year a month ago from a subaru dealership. First subaru. 63000 k on it. Have had 2 scheduled service maintenance's since then, and both have me noting having to add oil before scheduled oil change.

I have pictures of the oil light on at 5546 KM and then again at 8800 KM (after I added about a little over half a quart to the engine @ 5546 KM).

Mentioned it again at my scheduled maintenance and was given the pamphlet that says adding oil before changes is normal. If im not mistaken it says 5000 KM is normal to have to add oil at. Service Person's have told me its due to the thinner synthetic oils they use. This falls into the same amount that Isn't seen as normal, correct?

I'm not sure what avenue to take here.. Any suggestions? They would be highly appreciated.

I suppose I should sign up for the appeal in Canada at least though (20% of purchase price back + cost of oil, no mention of fixes or warranty though)

Connie Smith (not verified)    January 24, 2016 - 1:23PM

I feel that all years of Subaru since 2008 should be added to this lawsuit. I have a 2009 Subaru Legacy that I purchased as I fell for their moto you can pass it down from generation to generation. I believed as so many others that these were good reliable cars. I kept up on all of my fluid changes yet one of my connector rods broke in my engine 7 months ago. As a single mother with 2 children I'm struggling to find a replacement engine that I can afford and with having to borrow vehicles yo get back and forth to work its making it harder. Subaru will not help and neither will the dealers. I'm fed up with Subaru and recommend no purchase their vehicles. Please read all subaru forums you can you will see Subaru's cars are nothing like what they advertise!!!!!!

Iqbal Qaiyumi (not verified)    January 27, 2016 - 4:14PM

We have 2013 Subaru Outback with a 3.6R engine. I have noticed that they overfill the oil at the time of oil change. I have been checking oil every 1000 miles and have seen the level dropping. I have taken the car to the dealer and asked them to perform a oil consumption check. Car has 20,000 miles on it now. They are planning to change the short block next week. Will this solve the oil consumption problem ? Do I have any other options?

aman bakshi (not verified)    January 28, 2016 - 7:52PM

i have an oil consumption problem w my Subaru. when do you think the class action law suit will resolve?
are we supposed to be individually a part of the lawsuit? I don't know if the 1200 mile oil consumption test is a valid way to check and what if they doctor the results? shouldn't any oil loss before the next oil change is due be considered abnormal?

Thomas J. Coad (not verified)    January 31, 2016 - 11:12PM

After about 25,000 I noticed unexplained oil consumption between oil changes. Especially at Interstate speeds. Have gone through oil consumption test. 2014 Forester is at this time at the dealership in Coconut Creek, Florida having the engine changed. To be continued.

Betty Engels (not verified)    March 7, 2016 - 2:51PM

I have a 2015 Subaru Forester. It only has 7300 miles on it. It uses at least 1 quart for every 1200 miles. The dealer is doing an oil consumption test, but I was informed that a qt every 1200 miles is considered normal. I'm very very upset. I was under the impression that Subarus were good cars. I will see what they tell me after the oil consumption test is completed, but after reading the above comments, I dont have a lot of hope....

Julian (not verified)    April 14, 2016 - 7:33PM

I have a 2011 Forester, and for a long time I have thought that the oil consumption has been excessive. So I took it to the dealership and they started an oil consumption test. About the same time I bought a new 2016 Outback and my wife started driving the Forester. Her driving habits are much different to mine. I drive 76 miles round trip to work on the highway, most days. She drives a few miles per day. Immediately I noticed the Forester was no longer using oil. She drove it for about 1000 miles and very little oil was used. So last weekend we had to do a road trip so we took the Forester. 650 miles in 3 days. Basically the oil level went from the full mark to the bottom of the dip stick, well below the min level. This is definitely not right. The dealership have been informed and they are going to look at it next week. I certainly hope Subaru steps up and fixes this problem.

Kevin (not verified)    May 4, 2016 - 3:48PM

I have bought used subaru's the past 18 years. Very few problems. Just the normal wear and tear. Finally bought my first new one in 2012. Have only used synthetic oil and change it as required. Last week oil light came on, 1.5 quarts later I'm at the correct level. Marked the dipstick to see when I'm burning oil. We drive sensibility and don't put a lot of strain on engine. No hot rodding! After my last oil change at 62,000 burned the 1.5 quarts in less than 3000 miles. 2012 not listed in recall. UNREAL!

Nancy (not verified)    May 7, 2016 - 8:56AM

Driving on the interstate late one night we started hearing a knocking in the engine of our 2009 Subaru Forester and discovered that we had no oil in the car. We have always done regular maintenance on our vehicle with regular oil changes so we were shocked to find out there was no oil in the car. Neither the oil light or the check engine light ever came on to warn us there was a problem. Our engine only had 94,000 miles on it. After researching on the internet we found that this is an ongoing issue with the 2.5 liter engines that Subaru has known about for years. We filed a complaint with Subaru of America but were told that since a couple of the oil changes were done at just over 6,000 miles that they would not help us with the cost of fixing it. They want $5,000 to rebuild it or $6,000 for a new engine. Today we are taking a trailer to the dealership in St Peters Mo. (Lou Fusz Subaru) where our car now sits and loading our car up to bring home. We don't have the money to fix it. Subaru vehicles don't live up to the claims of there advertising and this is not a vehicle I would hand down to my children! We plan on eventually getting it fixed and rid of it at the earliest opportunity. I will never have another Subaru.

stewie (not verified)    June 23, 2016 - 1:03PM

wow . this is nuts . all this on low km subarus. was just going to buy a 2016 crosstrek. not anymore. i come from honda and toyota , guess i will stick with those brands. the crosstrek is very unique and nothing like that out there , its a shame. shame on your subaru for creating a tease. sweet crosstrek no more.

Rodney (not verified)    June 28, 2016 - 6:25PM

Please let me know about any current class action lawsuits that may be going on. I bought a 2012 Forester, with 64K miles, owned it two months, and already it has used 2 quarts.

Eric ng (not verified)    July 24, 2016 - 8:31PM

I bought a Subaru yrs 2007 forester outback, it ' s burn a lot of oil.
How can I join a class action lawsuit.?
And where to go what to do? The same issue,
Thank you

Maureen Park (not verified)    August 23, 2016 - 9:23PM

I bought a 2002 Outback limited and just after warranty and the oil light flashing twice the engine Seized on the hwy while I was in the States. I called my Canadian dealer who advised me to have it towed to them as I could be ripped off in the States. My options after doing this was $12k for a new engine or buy a new car. I called Subaru. Who said they had no issues and it was my fault for not putting oil in the car. This car had every service recommended except the last one out if warranty which was a few months late. To embarrassed to tell them I should have put oil in car I got a nearly new engine from the wreckers and had it put in for $6k. To this date I look back at how stupid I was not to take this further. I drove a Saab for years sometimes jot replacing the oil for year and never had trouble. How come Subaru Canada has not taken responsibility for this. I am know told they are very aware of the problem and Subaru's are known for burning of oil. I'd love to sue them thus was a top of the line Subabu Outback Limited.

Tammy Rist (not verified)    September 21, 2016 - 5:05AM

I have a 2014 subaru impreza that uses oil before each service..I brought it brand new..car dealers told me this is normal...wondering if this is normal

Jeanne Schurr (not verified)    September 30, 2016 - 3:51PM

I too have had oil consumption issues w/ my 2016 Sub Forester purchased 6/25/2016 at Groove Subaru in Englewood, Colorado!!!! Oil light came on at 2600+ miles so I freaked out & had a $79.+ oil change. Mechanic said that the synthetic oil 0w20w is sooo thin that it's like water. The class-action lawsuit needs to cover more than the 2011-2014 vehicles as the problem is ongoing w/ later models. I had a 2001 Sub Forester w/ 207,000 miles & virtually no problems but thought I needed a new Forester - BIG MISTAKE!!! I'D LOVE TO HAVE MY OLD CAR BACK!!

Jeremy (not verified)    March 9, 2017 - 11:30PM

I just bought a used 2013 Outback and noticed after driving it 1,000 miles that I needed about 1 quart. I came across this site, as well as others, regarding the oil consumption test. I went in for a recall (wiper motor) and addressed this issue. They told me it was "normal" for a car to consume up to a quart per 1,000 miles.

If I'm adding a quart every 1,000 miles, once the 7,500 miles is up for another oil change, I will have added 1 3/4 gallons of oil. In theory, I should never need an oil change again, because every 7,500 miles, I'll have already completely replaced the oil. Even if it was 1 quart every 2,000 miles that would still be almost a full gallon.

After saying this to the dealer, they suggested an oil consumption test. I'm wondering if they'll honor this if it isn't a complete quart after the 1,200 mile mark. Even if they don't, at least I'll never have to worry about another oil change :p

I guess we'll see what happens...

Stephen Ocskasy (not verified)    April 19, 2017 - 11:50AM

I have been having this problem since the summer of 2016. Having to add a Qt. of synthetic oil between oil changes. The light never came on at convenient times that I could leave it at home and take my older Forester out on the road. So I had to carry a Qt of oil with me. But when I took it to the dealer, they couldn't do the oil consumption test unless the light was on, or I brought it in before adding oil. Such a nuisance. I was never told of this class action suit. I just happened to go online to check it out now.

Barbara A Allen (not verified)    April 28, 2017 - 1:43PM

After owning a subaru previously, I have waited for awhile to get another subaru and I purchased a used 2012 subaru impreza in November 2016. after about 2700 miles. I smelled vapors of oil inside my car and then there was blue smoke out of the tail pipe. This happened on our way to NC, we were 150 miles away from home. we had to put oil in the car due to the oil light coming on. took the car to the dealership and they said it need an oil change. Then a couple months later I took the same trip to NC and on the way home around 3000 the same problem happened again . Then I did has there been a recall and now I find out there is a law suit. I am so angry. I could have spent 5-7 thousand dollars on my 2005 for focus to get it fixed and now I may have to pay out of pocket the same amount and by the way i even checked car fax on this car. I did my research. Wyatt- Johnson of Clarksville, tn is refusing to fix my car. even though there is a class action suit and subaru is refusing to fix the issue what is going to take my car blowing up.

Arthur Schlicher (not verified)    May 9, 2017 - 8:40PM

Thinking of a new 2017 Forester, on my third Subi,06 Imprezza. Always Mobil 1, use about 1 1/2 pints
at 7500 miles. Just hit 139,000 miles, and had to do head gaskets. First repair on all my Subi's. SOA
didn't inform buyers of head gasket problem, many cars only need them if head is removed for other
repair. At 75 years old, I'm getting cold feet. In my area, especially Foresters, outsell all other cars, and
all I hear is I love it. Is this a problem with the 2017 Forester 2.5I ?

Edward Riley (not verified)    June 12, 2017 - 10:32PM

Bought a new 2013 subaru legacy and just before the second oil change was due, the oil light came on. Also happened just before the third oil change. However it has not happened since this. Went in for the oil consumption test around 50,000 miles and it passed. No problems since, however I am watching it closely since my vin number was on the class action settlement.

Patty cribbs (not verified)    July 3, 2017 - 9:14AM

I have a 2012 Subaru Forester that is part of the oil consumption lawsuit I have been through the oil consumption test and now I'm waiting on the completion of a new motor being put in my Subaru it's been 30 days and still no call that my Subaru is ready for pickup I have made numerous calls to the service department on when my Subaru will be ready and have been told they are working on it I do believe it is being put at the bottom of the list every time a paying customer brings in their Subaru to be worked on so when I do get that call to go pick up my vehicle can anyone help me that has been through this on the questions I need to ask before I leave the premises with my vehicle to make sure I am covered in case something breaks after I leave